Most of us with a lawn will have leaves sprinkled around the place from time to time. This is especially common after autumn.
But what can we do with all those leaves?
First things first, leaving leaves on your lawn isn’t a good idea. Not only do they look messy, but they can block sunlight and moisture from reaching the grass. This can promote disease or even kill the grass after a prolonged period of time.
A great way to recycle these leaves is to use them as mulch for your garden beds.
Why Leaf Mulch Is A Great Mulch For Your Garden
Leaf mulch is a great garden addition as it’s free, renewable, and full of natural resources that can help your plants thrive. It helps to keep your soil moist by preventing evaporation, stopping weed growth, and providing an attractive aesthetic for your landscape.
It also improves the structure of your soil over time as it decomposes.
All in all, leaf mulch makes for a fantastic soil amendment.
Keep in mind that leaf mulch isn’t the best when it comes to nutritional value. After all, it is dead leaves. It’s a good idea to add organic compost or fertilizers to your leaf mold to boost the overall nutritional value. This is especially important if your garden consists of vegetables or annual plants, which require more nitrogen than leaf mulch can provide.
How To Turn Leaves Into Mulch
The key to turning leaves into mulch is letting them decompose over time to become leaf mold.
You’ll know you have leaf mold once the leaves turn a black-to-brown color with an earthy aroma accompanied by a crumbly texture.
The process of turning dead leaves into leaf mold takes about 6 months to 1 year. So, plan ahead and start collecting leaves now to use as mulch next year.
Step 1: Collect The Leaves
Start by collecting leaves from your yard. Use a rake or broom to sweep up the leaves into piles.
Before collection, you might also shred the leaves into smaller pieces by mowing over them. This will speed up the decomposition process.
Pile the leaves in a bin or wooden cage, or somewhere else that is relatively contained and not on your lawn.
If you use a plastic bag, be sure to make some small holes or slits to ensure airflow.
To get the best results, make sure the pile is at least 3 feet in width and length.
Step 2: Water The Leaves And Keep A Watering Schedule
When you first collect the leaves, be sure to hose them down to make sure they are completely soaked. Now that this is done, you can let the leaves sit and decompose.
Occasionally check the pile, and if the leaves are dry, be sure to wet them again.
After about 1 year, the leaves will have become leaf mold and ready to use in your garden.
Tip: To speed up the decomposition process, be sure to turn the pile over every week or so. This will help aerate it. If you are using a plastic bag, you can simply shake or roll it around.
If your pile or bin of leaves is out in the open, you can cover it with a plastic tarp to keep the environment more stable while the leaves break down. This will keep them moist for longer and save you from using more water.